U.S. patent application number 14/382510 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-15 for communication method, program storage medium, mobile terminal, home electric appliance, and home electric appliance operation setting system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Panasonic Corporation. Invention is credited to Kenichi Kamon, Kazunori Kurimoto, Kazuhiro Kuroyama, Mariko Nakaso, Yuko Omura, Tomotaka Yagi.
Application Number | 20150017913 14/382510 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49116246 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150017913 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kuroyama; Kazuhiro ; et
al. |
January 15, 2015 |
COMMUNICATION METHOD, PROGRAM STORAGE MEDIUM, MOBILE TERMINAL, HOME
ELECTRIC APPLIANCE, AND HOME ELECTRIC APPLIANCE OPERATION SETTING
SYSTEM
Abstract
When an appliance communication portion of a home electric
appliance receives a set operation data piece transmission request
from a mobile terminal, the appliance communication portion
transmits a stored set operation data piece. When the appliance
communication portion receives the set operation data piece from
the mobile terminal, the appliance communication portion sets an
operation, defined by the received set operation data piece, as an
operation of the home electric appliance to be executed. When a
data piece processing portion of the mobile terminal receives a set
operation data piece acquisition command from an input portion and
receives the set operation data piece from the home electric
appliance, the data piece processing portion causes a data piece
storage portion to store the received set operation data piece.
When the data piece processing portion receives an operation
setting command from the input portion, the data piece processing
portion causes a first terminal communication portion to transmit
the set operation data piece.
Inventors: |
Kuroyama; Kazuhiro; (Osaka,
JP) ; Kurimoto; Kazunori; (Hyogo, JP) ; Kamon;
Kenichi; (Shiga, JP) ; Nakaso; Mariko; (Shiga,
JP) ; Omura; Yuko; (Kyoto, JP) ; Yagi;
Tomotaka; (Hyogo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Panasonic Corporation |
Kadoma-shi, Osaka |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
49116246 |
Appl. No.: |
14/382510 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
February 13, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2013/000766 |
371 Date: |
September 2, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/41.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 5/0031 20130101;
H04L 12/2838 20130101; G08C 17/00 20130101; H05B 47/19 20200101;
G08C 17/02 20130101; H04L 2012/2841 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/41.1 |
International
Class: |
H04B 5/00 20060101
H04B005/00; H04L 12/28 20060101 H04L012/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 9, 2012 |
JP |
2012-052773 |
Claims
1-7. (canceled)
8. A communication method of communicating with one or more home
electric appliances via near field communication, comprising:
receiving a set operation data piece acquisition command from a
user; when the set operation data piece acquisition command is
received, requesting the home electric appliance a set operation
data piece that is a data piece that defines an operation to be
executed by the home electric appliance; receiving from the home
electric appliance the set operation data piece corresponding to
the request; storing the received set operation data piece in a
storage device; receiving an operation setting command from a user;
and when the operation setting command is received, transmitting to
the home electric appliance the set operation data piece stored in
the storage device.
9. The communication method according to claim 8, further
comprising: when receiving the set operation data piece, further
receiving an identification information piece of the home electric
appliance; and associating the received set operation data piece
with the identification information piece to store them in the
storage device.
10. The communication method according to claim 9, further
comprising: when transmitting the stored set operation data piece
to the home electric appliance, confirming whether or not the
identification information piece associated with the set operation
data piece coincides with the identification information piece of
the home electric appliance that is a destination to which the
stored set operation data piece is transmitted; and when the
identification information piece associated with the set operation
data piece coincides with the identification information piece of
the home electric appliance, transmitting the set operation data
piece to the destination.
11. The communication method according to claim 8, further
comprising: receiving the operation setting command together with a
selection information piece that selects the stored set operation
data piece; when the operation setting command together with the
selection information piece is received, transmitting to the home
electric appliance the set operation data piece selected based on
the operation setting command input together with the selection
information piece from the stored set operation data pieces.
12. The communication method according to claim 9, further
comprising: receiving a set operation data piece identification
information piece that allows the user to identify the received set
operation data piece; and associating the received set operation
data piece, the received identification information piece, and the
received set operation data piece identification information piece
with one another to store them in the storage device.
13. The communication method according to claim 8, further
comprising: connecting to a server via a network; and when
receiving the set operation data piece from the home electric
appliance, transmitting the received set operation data piece to
the server.
14. A program storage medium storing a computer program executed by
a mobile terminal configured to communicate with one or more home
electric appliances via near field communication, the computer
program comprising: receiving a set operation data piece
acquisition command from a user; when the set operation data piece
acquisition command is received, requesting the home electric
appliance a set operation data piece that is a data piece that
defines an operation to be executed by the home electric appliance;
receiving from the home electric appliance the set operation data
piece corresponding to the request; storing the received set
operation data piece in a storage portion included in the mobile
terminal; receiving an operation setting command from a user; and
when the operation setting command is received, transmitting to the
home electric appliance the set operation data piece stored in the
storage portion.
15. A mobile terminal connected to one or more home electric
appliances via near field communication, comprising: a first
terminal communication portion configured to communicate with an
appliance communication portion of the home electric appliance via
the near field communication; an input portion configured to
receive a set operation data piece acquisition command and an
operation setting command from a user; a data piece storage portion
configured to store data pieces; and a data piece processing
portion configured to when receiving the set operation data piece
acquisition command from the input portion, cause the first
terminal communication portion to request transmission of a set
operation data piece to the home electric appliance, the set
operation data piece being a data piece that defines an operation
to be executed by the home electric appliance, when receiving the
set operation data piece corresponding to the request from the home
electric appliance through the first terminal communication
portion, cause the data piece storage portion to store the received
set operation data piece, and when receiving the operation setting
command from the input portion, cause the first terminal
communication portion to transmit to the home electric appliance
the set operation data piece stored in the data piece storage
portion.
16. A home electric appliance connected to a mobile terminal via
near field communication, comprising: an operation setting portion
configured to store a data piece, which defines a certain operation
of the home electric appliance, to set the operation, defined by
the data piece, as an operation to be executed; a manipulating
portion configured to be manipulated by a user to cause the
operation setting portion to set the operation to be executed; an
appliance control portion configured to cause the home electric
appliance to execute the operation (set operation), which has been
set, in accordance with a data piece (set operation data piece)
that defines the set operation; and an appliance communication
portion configured to when receiving a set operation data piece
transmission request from the mobile terminal via the near field
communication, transmit the set operation data piece stored in the
operation setting portion, and when receiving the set operation
data piece from the mobile terminal, set the operation, defined by
the received set operation data piece, as the operation of the home
electric appliance to be executed.
17. The home electric appliance according to claim 16, wherein when
transmitting the set operation data piece, an identification
information piece of the home electric appliance is further
transmitted.
18. The home electric appliance according to claim 17, wherein:
when receiving the set operation data piece, the appliance
communication portion receives the identification information piece
associated with the set operation data piece; the appliance
communication portion confirms whether or not the received
identification information piece and an identification information
piece of the home electric appliance that is a destination that
receives the identification information piece coincide with each
other; and when the received identification information piece and
the identification information piece of the home electric appliance
coincide with each other, the appliance communication portion
causes the operation setting portion to store the received set
operation data piece.
19. A home electric appliance operation setting system comprising:
one or more home electric appliances; and a mobile terminal
connected to said one or more home electric appliances via near
field communication, wherein: each of the home electric appliances
includes an operation setting portion configured to store a data
piece, which defines a certain operation of the home electric
appliance, to set the operation, defined by the data piece, as an
operation to be executed, a manipulating portion configured to be
manipulated by a user to cause the operation setting portion to set
the operation to be executed, an appliance control portion
configured to cause the home electric appliance to execute the
operation (hereinafter referred to as a "set operation"), which has
been set, in accordance with a data piece (hereinafter referred to
as a "set operation data piece") that defines the set operation,
and an appliance communication portion configured to communicate
with a first terminal communication portion of the mobile terminal
via the near field communication; the mobile terminal includes the
first terminal communication portion configured to communicate with
the appliance communication portion of the home electric appliance
via the near field communication, an input portion to which the
user inputs a set operation data piece acquisition command and an
operation setting command; a data piece processing portion
configured to process data pieces depending on the set operation
data piece acquisition command or the operation setting command
input through the input portion, and a data piece storage portion
configured to store the data pieces processed by the data piece
processing portion; when the data piece processing portion of the
mobile terminal receives the set operation data piece acquisition
command from the input portion, the data piece processing portion
causes the first terminal communication portion to transmit a set
operation data piece transmission request; when the appliance
communication portion of the home electric appliance receives the
set operation data piece transmission request from the mobile
terminal, the appliance communication portion transmits the set
operation data piece stored in the operation setting portion; when
the data piece processing portion of the mobile terminal receives
the set operation data piece from the home electric appliance
through the first terminal communication portion, the data piece
processing portion causes the data piece storage portion to store
the received set operation data piece; when the data piece
processing portion of the mobile terminal receives the operation
setting command from the input portion, the data piece processing
portion causes the first terminal communication portion to transmit
the set operation data piece stored in the data piece storage
portion; and when the appliance communication portion of the home
electric appliance receives the set operation data piece from the
mobile terminal, the appliance communication portion sets the
operation, defined by the received set operation data piece, as the
operation of the home electric appliance to be executed.
20. The home electric appliance operation setting system according
to claim 19, wherein: when the appliance communication portion of
the home electric appliance transmits the set operation data piece
stored in the operation setting portion, the appliance
communication portion transmits an identification information piece
of the home electric appliance to which the appliance communication
portion belongs; the data piece processing portion of the mobile
terminal causes the set operation data piece to be associated with
the identification information piece and causes the data piece
storage portion to store them; the data piece processing portion of
the mobile terminal confirms at the time of transmission that the
identification information piece associated with the set operation
data piece received by the appliance communication portion and
stored in the operation setting portion coincides with the
identification information piece of the home electric appliance to
which the appliance communication portion belongs; and when the
identification information piece, received from the appliance
communication portion, of the home electric appliance to which the
appliance communication portion belongs and the identification
information piece associated with the set operation data piece to
be transmitted coincide with each other, the data piece processing
portion of the mobile terminal transmits the set operation data
piece.
21. The home electric appliance operation setting system according
to claim 19, wherein: when the appliance communication portion of
the home electric appliance transmits the set operation data piece
stored in the operation setting portion, the appliance
communication portion further transmits an identification
information piece of the home electric appliance to which the
appliance communication portion belongs; the data piece processing
portion of the mobile terminal causes the set operation data piece
to be associated with the identification information piece and
causes the data piece storage portion to store them; when the data
piece processing portion of the mobile terminal causes the first
terminal communication portion to transmit the set operation data
piece stored in the data piece storage portion, the data piece
processing portion further transmits the identification information
piece associated with the set operation data piece; the appliance
communication portion confirms at the time of reception that the
identification information piece associated with the set operation
data piece received by the appliance communication portion and
stored in the operation setting portion coincides with the
identification information piece of the home electric appliance to
which the appliance communication portion belongs; and when the
identification information piece received by the appliance
communication portion together with the set operation data piece
coincides with the identification information piece of the home
electric appliance to which the appliance communication portion
belongs, the appliance communication portion causes the operation
setting portion to store the received set operation data piece.
22. The home electric appliance operation setting system according
to claim 19, wherein: the input portion of the mobile terminal is
configured to receive the operation setting command together with a
selection information piece that selects the set operation data
piece stored in the data piece storage portion; and when the data
piece processing portion of the mobile terminal receives from the
input portion the set operation data piece acquisition command
together with the selection information piece, the data piece
processing portion causes the first terminal communication portion
to transmit the set operation data piece selected based on the
selection information piece from the set information pieces stored
in the data piece storage portion.
23. The home electric appliance operation setting system according
to claim 22, wherein: the input portion is configured to receive a
set operation data piece identification information piece that
allows the user to identify the set operation data piece stored in
the data piece storage portion; and the data piece processing
portion of the mobile terminal is configured to cause the received
set operation data piece, the received identification information
piece, and the set operation data piece identification information
piece, received from the input portion, to be associated with one
another and cause the data piece storage portion to store them.
24. The home electric appliance operation setting system according
to claim 19, wherein: the appliance communication portion of the
home electric appliance is configured such that when the appliance
communication portion receives the set operation data piece
transmission request from the mobile terminal, the appliance
communication portion encrypts the stored set operation data piece
to transmit it, and when the appliance communication portion
receives the encrypted set operation data piece from the mobile
terminal, the appliance communication portion decrypts the
received, encrypted set operation data piece and causes the
operation setting portion to store it to set the operation, defined
by the received set operation data piece, as the operation of the
home electric appliance to be executed; and the data piece
processing portion of the mobile terminal is configured such that
when the data piece processing portion receives the encrypted set
operation data piece from the home electric appliance through the
first terminal communication portion, the data piece processing
portion causes the data piece storage portion to store the
received, encrypted set operation data piece, and when the data
piece processing portion receives the operation setting command
from the input portion, the data piece processing portion causes
the first terminal communication portion to transmit the encrypted
set operation data piece stored in the data piece storage
portion.
25. The home electric appliance operation setting system according
to claim 19, further comprising a server connected via a network,
wherein: the mobile terminal includes a second terminal
communication portion connected to the network; when the data piece
processing portion of the mobile terminal receives the set
operation data piece from the home electric appliance through the
first terminal communication portion, the data piece processing
portion transmits the set operation data piece to the server
through the second terminal communication portion and the network;
and when the server receives the set operation data piece, the
server stores the set operation data piece.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a home electric appliance
operation setting system, and particularly to a system configured
to set operations of a home electric appliance by using a mobile
terminal.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Conventionally known is a home electric appliance in which a
user can register frequently-used manipulations and from which the
user can call up the registered manipulations to reutilize them
when necessary.
[0003] For example, according to an electronic apparatus disclosed
in PTL 1, manipulation contents are registered by alternately
pushing down a registration key and manipulation key of a remote
handling equipment. Then, by manipulating a title selection key,
the registered manipulation is called up to be executed.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0004] PTL 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No.
6-335064
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0005] In recent years, as the functions of the home electric
appliances increase, the home electric appliances each including a
function to register frequently-used manipulations among a larger
number of functions in the home electric appliance and call up the
registered manipulations to reutilize them when necessary are
increasing. However, a procedure to register the frequently-used
manipulations and a procedure to call up the registered
manipulations vary among conventional home electric appliances.
Therefore, the manipulation method is difficult to remember and
complicated.
Solution to Problem
[0006] A home electric appliance operation setting system according
to an aspect of the present invention includes: one or more home
electric appliances; and a mobile terminal connected to said one or
more home electric appliances via near field communication,
wherein: each of the home electric appliances includes an operation
setting portion configured to store a data piece, which defines a
certain operation of the home electric appliance, to set the
operation, defined by the data piece, as an operation to be
executed, a manipulating portion configured to be manipulated by a
user to cause the operation setting portion to set the operation to
be executed, an appliance control portion configured to cause the
home electric appliance to execute the operation (hereinafter
referred to as a "set operation"), which has been set, in
accordance with a data piece (hereinafter referred to as a "set
operation data piece") that defines the set operation, and an
appliance communication portion configured to communicate with a
first terminal communication portion of the mobile terminal via the
near field communication; the mobile terminal includes the first
terminal communication portion configured to communicate with the
appliance communication portion of the home electric appliance via
the near field communication, an input portion to which the user
inputs a set operation data piece acquisition command and an
operation setting command; a data piece processing portion
configured to process data pieces depending on the set operation
data piece acquisition command or the operation setting command
input through the input portion, and a data piece storage portion
configured to store the data pieces processed by the data piece
processing portion; the appliance communication portion of the home
electric appliance is configured such that in a case where the
appliance communication portion has received a connection request,
and when the appliance communication portion receives a set
operation data piece transmission request from the mobile terminal,
the appliance communication portion transmits the stored set
operation data piece, when the appliance communication portion
receives both the set operation data piece and an identification
information piece from the mobile terminal or receives only the set
operation data piece, the appliance communication portion causes
the operation setting portion to store the received set operation
data piece to set the operation, defined by the received set
operation data piece, as the operation of the home electric
appliance to be executed, and in a predetermined case, the
appliance communication portion transmits an identification
information piece of the home electric appliance to which the
appliance communication portion belongs; the data piece processing
portion of the mobile terminal is configured such that when the
data piece processing portion receives the set operation data piece
acquisition command from the input portion, the data piece
processing portion causes the first terminal communication portion
to transmit the connection request, when the data piece processing
portion receives the set operation data piece and the
identification information piece from the home electric appliance
through the first terminal communication portion, the data piece
processing portion causes the received set operation data piece and
the received identification information piece to be associated with
each other and causes the data piece storage portion to store them,
and when the data piece processing portion receives the operation
setting command from the input portion, the data piece processing
portion causes the first terminal communication portion to transmit
the connection request and causes the first terminal communication
portion to transmit both the set operation data piece and the
identification information piece, which have been stored in the
data piece storage portion and associated with each other, or only
the set operation data piece; and the data piece processing portion
of the mobile terminal confirms at the time of transmission that or
the appliance communication portion confirms at the time of
reception that the identification information piece associated with
the set operation data piece received by the appliance
communication portion and stored in the operation setting portion
coincides with the identification information piece of the home
electric appliance to which the appliance communication portion
belongs.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0007] The present invention is configured as explained above and
has an effect of being able to easily register a frequently-used
operation setting in a plurality of home electric appliances by the
same manipulation procedure and easily call up the registered
operation setting by the same manipulation procedure.
[0008] The above object, other objects, features, and advantages of
the present invention will be made clear by the following detailed
explanation of preferred embodiments with reference to the attached
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the
configuration of a home electric appliance operation setting system
according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing Operation Example 1 in a case
where a set operation data piece acquisition command is input in
the home electric appliance operation setting system according to
Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing Operation Example 1 in a case
where an operation setting command is input in the home electric
appliance operation setting system according to Embodiment 1 of the
present invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing Operation Example 2 in a case
where the set operation data piece acquisition command is input in
the home electric appliance operation setting system according to
Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an operation example in a
case where the set operation data piece acquisition command is
input in the home electric appliance operation setting system
according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an operation example in a
case where the operation setting command is input in the home
electric appliance operation setting system according to Embodiment
2 of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the
configuration of the home electric appliance operation setting
system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an operation example in a
case where the set operation data piece acquisition command is
input in the home electric appliance operation setting system
according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an operation example in a
case where the operation setting command is input in the home
electric appliance operation setting system according to Embodiment
4 of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a control panel of a washing
machine according to Example 1 of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a touch panel including an
input portion of a mobile terminal according to Example 1 of the
present invention and is a diagram showing changes of display
images of the touch panel in a case where the set operation data
piece acquisition command is input.
[0020] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the touch panel including the
input portion of the mobile terminal according to Example 1 of the
present invention and is a diagram showing the changes of the
display images of the touch panel in a case where the operation
setting command is input.
[0021] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a remote controller of a
lighting device according to Example 2 of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] A home electric appliance operation setting system according
to an embodiment of the present invention includes: one or more
home electric appliances; and a mobile terminal connected to said
one or more home electric appliances via near field communication,
wherein: each of the home electric appliances includes an operation
setting portion configured to store a data piece, which defines a
certain operation of the home electric appliance, to set the
operation, defined by the data piece, as an operation to be
executed, a manipulating portion configured to be manipulated by a
user to cause the operation setting portion to set the operation to
be executed, an appliance control portion configured to cause the
home electric appliance to execute the operation (hereinafter
referred to as a "set operation"), which has been set, in
accordance with a data piece (hereinafter referred to as a "set
operation data piece") that defines the set operation, and an
appliance communication portion configured to communicate with a
first terminal communication portion of the mobile terminal via the
near field communication; the mobile terminal includes the first
terminal communication portion configured to communicate with the
appliance communication portion of the home electric appliance via
the near field communication, an input portion to which the user
inputs a set operation data piece acquisition command and an
operation setting command; a data piece processing portion
configured to process data pieces depending on the set operation
data piece acquisition command or the operation setting command
input through the input portion, and a data piece storage portion
configured to store the data pieces processed by the data piece
processing portion; the appliance communication portion of the home
electric appliance is configured such that in a case where the
appliance communication portion has received a connection request,
and when the appliance communication portion receives a set
operation data piece transmission request from the mobile terminal,
the appliance communication portion transmits the stored set
operation data piece, when the appliance communication portion
receives both the set operation data piece and an identification
information piece from the mobile terminal or receives only the set
operation data piece, the appliance communication portion causes
the operation setting portion to store the received set operation
data piece to set the operation, defined by the received set
operation data piece, as the operation of the home electric
appliance to be executed, and in a predetermined case, the
appliance communication portion transmits an identification
information piece of the home electric appliance to which the
appliance communication portion belongs; the data piece processing
portion of the mobile terminal is configured such that when the
data piece processing portion receives the set operation data piece
acquisition command from the input portion, the data piece
processing portion causes the first terminal communication portion
to transmit the connection request, when the data piece processing
portion receives the set operation data piece and the
identification information piece from the home electric appliance
through the first terminal communication portion, the data piece
processing portion causes the received set operation data piece and
the received identification information piece to be associated with
each other and causes the data piece storage portion to store them,
and when the data piece processing portion receives the operation
setting command from the input portion, the data piece processing
portion causes the first terminal communication portion to transmit
the connection request and causes the first terminal communication
portion to transmit both the set operation data piece and the
identification information piece, which have been stored in the
data piece storage portion and associated with each other, or only
the set operation data piece; and the data piece processing portion
of the mobile terminal confirms at the time of transmission that or
the appliance communication portion confirms at the time of
reception that the identification information piece associated with
the set operation data piece received by the appliance
communication portion and stored in the operation setting portion
coincides with the identification information piece of the home
electric appliance to which the appliance communication portion
belongs.
[0023] According to this configuration, by causing the mobile
terminal to contact each home electric appliance, the operation
setting can be registered in the mobile terminal. Thus, the
frequently-used operation setting can be easily registered in the
home electric appliances by the same manipulation procedure.
Further, by causing the mobile terminal to contact each home
electric appliance, the registered operation setting can be called
up. Thus, the registered operation setting can be easily called up
from the plurality of home electric appliances by the same
manipulation procedure.
[0024] In the home electric appliance operation setting system, the
data piece processing portion of the mobile terminal may be
configured such that in a case where the data piece processing
portion has transmitted the connection request, and the
identification information piece, received from the appliance
communication portion, of the home electric appliance to which the
appliance communication portion belongs and the identification
information piece associated with the set operation data piece to
be transmitted coincide with each other, the data piece processing
portion transmits the set operation data piece.
[0025] According to this configuration, the data piece processing
portion of the mobile terminal confirms at the time of the
transmission that the identification information piece associated
with the set operation data piece coincides with the identification
information piece of the home electric appliance to which the
appliance communication portion belongs. Therefore, the set
operation data piece can be prevented from being mistakenly
transmitted to a different appliance, so that the misoperation of
the appliance can be prevented.
[0026] The home electric appliance operation setting system may be
configured such that when the identification information piece
received by the appliance communication portion together with the
set operation data piece coincides with the identification
information piece of the home electric appliance to which the
appliance communication portion belongs, the appliance
communication portion causes the operation setting portion to store
the received set operation data piece.
[0027] According to this configuration, the appliance communication
portion of the home electric appliance confirms at the time of the
reception that the identification information piece associated with
the set operation data piece coincides with the identification
information piece of the home electric appliance to which the
appliance communication portion belongs. Therefore, the set
operation data piece can be prevented from being mistakenly
transmitted to a different appliance, so that the misoperation of
the appliance can be prevented.
[0028] The home electric appliance operation setting system may be
configured such that: the input portion of the mobile terminal is
configured to receive the operation setting command together with a
selection information piece that selects the set operation data
piece stored in the data piece storage portion; and when the data
piece processing portion of the mobile terminal receives from the
input portion the set operation data piece acquisition command
together with the selection information piece, the data piece
processing portion causes the first terminal communication portion
to transmit the connection request and causes the first terminal
communication portion to transmit the set operation data piece
selected based on the selection information piece from the set
information pieces stored in the data piece storage portion and the
identification information piece associated with the selected set
operation data piece.
[0029] According to this configuration, the set operation can be
selected.
[0030] The home electric appliance operation setting system may be
configured such that: the input portion is configured to receive a
set operation data piece identification information piece that
allows the user to identify the set operation data piece stored in
the data piece storage portion; and the data piece processing
portion of the mobile terminal is configured to cause the received
set operation data piece, the received identification information
piece, and the set operation data piece identification information
piece, received from the input portion, to be associated with one
another and cause the data piece storage portion to store them.
[0031] According to this configuration, the set operation can be
selected based on the set operation data piece identification
information piece.
[0032] The home electric appliance operation setting system may be
configured such that: the appliance communication portion of the
home electric appliance is configured such that when the appliance
communication portion receives the set operation data piece
transmission request from the mobile terminal, the appliance
communication portion encrypts the stored set operation data piece
to transmit it, and when the appliance communication portion
receives the encrypted set operation data piece from the mobile
terminal, the appliance communication portion decrypts the
received, encrypted set operation data piece and causes the
operation setting portion to store it to set the operation, defined
by the received set operation data piece, as the operation of the
home electric appliance to be executed; and the data piece
processing portion of the mobile terminal is configured such that
when the data piece processing portion receives the encrypted set
operation data piece and the identification information piece from
the home electric appliance through the first terminal
communication portion, the data piece processing portion causes the
received, encrypted set operation data piece and the received
identification information piece to be associated with each other
and causes the data piece storage portion to store them, and when
the data piece processing portion receives the operation setting
command from the input portion, the data piece processing portion
causes the first terminal communication portion to transmit the
connection request and causes the first terminal communication
portion to transmit both the encrypted set operation data piece and
the identification information piece, which have been stored in the
data piece storage portion and associated with each other, or only
the encrypted set operation data piece.
[0033] According to this configuration, the set operation data
piece can be prevented from being rewritten in the mobile
terminal.
[0034] The home electric appliance operation setting system may be
configured to further include a server connected via a network,
wherein: the mobile terminal includes a second terminal
communication portion connected to the network; when the data piece
processing portion of the mobile terminal receives the set
operation data piece acquisition command from the input portion,
the data piece processing portion transmits the operation setting
data piece and the identification information piece, which have
been associated with each other, to the server through the second
terminal communication portion and the network; and when the server
receives the operation setting data piece and the identification
information piece that have been associated with each other, the
server stores the operation setting data piece and the
identification information piece that have been associated with
each other.
[0035] According to this configuration, the set operation data
piece can be prevented from being damaged by the malfunction of the
mobile terminal or the like.
[0036] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be
explained in reference to the drawings.
[0037] In the following explanations and drawings, the same
reference signs are used for the same or corresponding components,
and a repetition of the same explanation is avoided.
Embodiment 1
Configuration
[0038] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the
configuration of a home electric appliance operation setting system
100.
[0039] The home electric appliance operation setting system 100
includes one or more home electric appliances 1 and a mobile
terminal 2. The mobile terminal 2 is connected to one or more home
electric appliances 1 via near field communication.
[0040] The near field communication is wireless communication in
which a radio wave reach distance is short (about several meters).
The near field communication is realized in a state where the
mobile terminal 2 and one or more home electric appliances 1 are
located close to each other or contact each other. For example, in
the case of wireless LAN communication of Wi-Fi in which the radio
wave reach distance is long (about several tens of meters to
several hundreds of meters), there is a high possibility that in a
range where signals output from the home electric appliance 1 and
the mobile terminal 2 reach, the other wireless LAN communication
apparatus exists. Therefore, after a procedure (authentication) in
which a connection destination is selected in the mobile terminal
2, and the selected home electric appliance 1 and the mobile
terminal 2 confirm each other unique identification information
pieces given to respective appliances, one-to-one data transmission
and reception are realized. However, according to the near field
communication, the radio wave reach distance is defined such that
the other near field communication apparatus does not exist in the
range where the signals output from the home electric appliance 1
and the mobile terminal 2 reach. With this, the connection
destination is specified by causing the mobile terminal 2 to get
close to or contact the home electric appliance 1 without the
procedure (authentication) in which the connection destination is
selected in the mobile terminal 2, and the selected home electric
appliance 1 and the mobile terminal 2 confirm each other the unique
identification information pieces given to respective appliances.
Thus, one-to-one data transmission and reception are realized.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent, for example, a case where a
user makes a mistake in selecting the connection destination in the
mobile terminal 2, and as a result, an operation setting of an
unintended appliance is acquired, or the operation setting of the
unintended appliance is called up. However, the present embodiment
is not limited to this. The data transmission and reception may be
performed after the procedure of the confirmation of the unique
identification information pieces given to respective
appliances.
[0041] Each of the home electric appliances 1 includes an operation
setting portion 10, a manipulating portion 11, an appliance control
portion 12, an appliance communication portion 14, and an appliance
main body portion 15. Examples of the home electric appliance 1
include microwave ovens, washing machines, lighting devices, and
hard disk recorders. However, the present embodiment is not limited
to these. Further, the home electric appliance 1 may include an
apparatus (such as a remote controller) connected to a main body of
the home electric appliance 1 via wired or wireless
communication.
[0042] The operation setting portion 10 stores a data piece
(hereinafter may be referred to as an "operation data piece") that
defines a certain operation of the home electric appliance 1. With
this, the home electric appliance 1 sets the operation, defined by
the operation data piece, as an operation to be executed by the
home electric appliance 1. Here, the phrase "operation to be
executed" includes: an operation executed in real time in a state
where the home electric appliance 1 is operating and an operation
executed next; and an operation to be executed in a case where the
home electric appliance 1 is started up next. This setting function
can be realized such that, for example, the operation setting
portion 10 includes: a storage portion that stores a plurality of
operation data pieces; and a control portion that specifies one
operation data piece to be executed from the plurality of operation
data pieces stored in the storage portion. One example of this
specifying operation is a reservation operation in which: the user
manipulates the manipulating portion 11 to input a selection
command that selects any one of the plurality of operation data
pieces stored in the storage portion; and the control portion
specifies the operation data piece, selected by the selection
command, as one operation data piece to be executed. The appliance
control portion 12 may be configured to have this function of the
control portion. For example, the above-described setting function
can be realized such that: the operation setting portion 10
includes a storage portion that stores only one operation data
piece; and the appliance control portion 12 executes the operation
defined by this operation data piece stored in the storage portion.
For example, the storage portion that stores only one operation
data piece can be realized such that one predetermined storage area
of a memory is overwritten with the operation data piece one after
another.
[0043] Examples of the data piece that defines a certain operation
of the home electric appliance 1 include not only a data piece that
defines a single operation of the home electric appliance 1 but
also a data piece that defines a plurality of operations executed
in a predetermined order (or simultaneously) by the home electric
appliance 1. Hereinafter, the operation that has been set is
referred to as a set operation, and the data piece that defines the
set operation is referred to as a set operation data piece.
[0044] The manipulating portion 11 is manipulated by a user to
cause the operation setting portion 10 to set the operation to be
executed. To be specific, the manipulation of the manipulating
portion 11 by the user is converted by the cooperation of the
manipulating portion 11 and the operation setting portion 10 into
the data piece that defines the operation of the home electric
appliance 1, and the data piece is stored in the operation setting
portion 10 to be set as the operation to be executed by the home
electric appliance 1. Examples of the manipulating portion 11
include a button, a dial, and a touch panel. However, the present
embodiment is not limited to these.
[0045] The appliance control portion 12 causes the appliance main
body portion 15 of the home electric appliance 1 to execute the set
operation in accordance with the set operation data piece set in
the operation setting portion 10. In a case where the set operation
data piece stored in the operation setting portion 10 is the data
piece that defines the plurality of operations, the appliance
control portion 12 executes the plurality of operations, defined by
the set operation data piece, in an order defined by the set
operation data piece or in a predetermined order (or
simultaneously).
[0046] The operation setting portion 10 and the appliance control
portion 12 constitute an appliance control unit 13. The appliance
control unit 13 is constituted by, for example, a control unit
including a calculating portion and a storage portion. The control
unit is constituted by a microcontroller, a CPU, a MPU, a logic
circuit, a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), or the like. The
appliance control unit 13 may be constituted by a single control
unit that performs centralized control or a plurality of control
units that perform distributed control. For example, the appliance
control portion 12 and the operation setting portion 10 may be
constituted by a single control unit and a program stored in the
control unit or may be constituted by two control units that
operate in cooperation with each other.
[0047] The appliance communication portion 14 communicates with a
first terminal communication portion 20 of the mobile terminal 2
via the near field communication. One example of the appliance
communication portion 14 is a wireless interface module including a
communication portion and a communication control portion
configured to control the communication portion. However, the
present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the
appliance communication portion 14 may be constituted by a
communication apparatus and a control portion realized by a program
that is stored in the appliance control unit 13 and controls the
communication apparatus.
[0048] In a case where the appliance communication portion 14
receives a connection request from the mobile terminal 2 and also
receives a set operation data piece transmission request, the
appliance communication portion 14 transmits the stored set
operation data piece. In addition, the communication between the
mobile terminal 2 and the appliance communication portion 14 is
realized by responding to the connection request, and then, the
communication regarding predetermined processing is performed. In a
predetermined case, the appliance communication portion 14
transmits the identification information piece of the home electric
appliance 1 to which the appliance communication portion 14
belongs. The "identification information piece of the home electric
appliance 1" contains both the identification information piece of
the home electric appliance 1 itself and the identification
information piece of the appliance communication portion 14.
Examples of the predetermined case include a case related to the
transmission of the set operation data piece and a case related to
the confirmation of coincidence of the identification information
piece in the below-described mobile terminal 2. In the case related
to the transmission of the set operation data piece, the appliance
communication portion 14 transmits the identification information
piece of the home electric appliance 1 to which the appliance
communication portion 14 belongs, and a trigger for the
transmission may be the connection request or the set operation
data piece transmission request. Transmitting the identification
information piece in response to the connection request may be the
"authentication". Further, the appliance communication portion 14
may transmit the identification information piece in response to an
identification information piece transmission request transmitted
from the mobile terminal 2. In the case related to the confirmation
of the coincidence of the identification information piece in the
mobile terminal 2, the appliance communication portion 14 transmits
the identification information piece of the home electric appliance
1 to which the appliance communication portion 14 belongs, and
examples of the trigger for the transmission include the connection
request and the below-described identification information piece
transmission request.
[0049] When the appliance communication portion 14 receives both
the set operation data piece and the identification information
piece or only the set information piece from the mobile terminal 2,
the appliance communication portion 14 causes the operation setting
portion 10 to store the received set operation data piece. Thus,
the appliance communication portion 14 sets the data piece as the
operation to be executed by the home electric appliance 1.
[0050] The mobile terminal 2 includes the first terminal
communication portion 20, an input portion 21, a data piece
processing portion 22, and a data piece storage portion 23.
Examples of the mobile terminal 2 include mobile phones
(especially, so-called smartphones having touch panels);
apparatuses (such as remote controllers) connected to the main body
of the home electric appliance 1 via the wired or wireless
communication; and dedicated mobile terminals excluding functions
other than functions related to the functions of the present
invention. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this.
In addition, the mobile terminals are not limited to terminals that
are carried at all times and may be terminals that can be
carried.
[0051] The first terminal communication portion 20 communicates
with the appliance communication portion 14 of the home electric
appliance 1 via the near field communication. One example of the
first terminal communication portion 20 is a NFC reader/writer
module. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this. For
example, the first terminal communication portion 20 may be
constituted by a communication apparatus and a control portion
realized by a program that is stored in the below-described control
unit and controls the communication apparatus.
[0052] The input portion 21 is a portion to which the user inputs
the set operation data piece acquisition command and the operation
setting command. Examples of the input portion 21 include a button,
a dial, and a touch panel. However, the present embodiment is not
limited to this.
[0053] The data piece processing portion 22 processes data pieces
in accordance with the set operation data piece acquisition command
and operation setting command input from the input portion 21.
[0054] When the data piece processing portion 22 receives the set
operation data piece acquisition command from the input portion 21,
the data piece processing portion 22 causes the first terminal
communication portion 20 to transmit the connection request.
[0055] When the data piece processing portion 22 receives the set
operation data piece and the identification information piece from
the home electric appliance 1 through the first terminal
communication portion 20, the data piece processing portion 22
causes the received set operation data piece and the received
identification information piece to be associated with each other
and causes the data piece storage portion 23 to store them.
[0056] Further, when the data piece processing portion 22 receives
the operation setting command from the input portion 21, the data
piece processing portion 22 causes the first terminal communication
portion 20 to transmit the connection request and also causes the
first terminal communication portion 20 to transmit both the set
operation data piece and identification information piece, which
have been stored in the data piece storage portion 23 and
associated with each other, or only the set information piece.
[0057] As above, the data piece processing portion 22 processes the
data pieces in accordance with the set operation data piece
acquisition command and operation setting command input from the
input portion 21. The data piece processing portion 22 is
constituted by, for example, a calculating portion of a
below-described control unit.
[0058] The data piece storage portion 23 stores the data pieces
processed by the data piece processing portion 22. For example, the
data piece storage portion 23 is constituted by a storage portion,
such as a ROM or a RAM, of the below-described control unit.
[0059] The data piece storage portion 23 may be configured to be
able to store the received set operation data piece itself.
[0060] The data piece processing portion 22 and the data piece
storage portion 23 constitute a terminal control unit 24. For
example, the terminal control unit 24 is constituted by a control
unit including a calculating portion and a storage portion, and the
data piece processing portion 22 and the data piece storage portion
23 are respectively constituted by the calculating portion and the
storage portion. For example, the control unit is constituted by a
microcontroller, a CPU, a MPU, a logic circuit, a PLC, or the
like.
[0061] Then, the data piece processing portion 22 of the mobile
terminal 2 confirms at the time of the transmission or the
appliance communication portion 14 of the home electric appliance 1
confirms at the time of the reception that the identification
information piece associated with the set operation data piece
received by the appliance communication portion 14 and stored in
the operation setting portion 10 coincides with the identification
information piece of the home electric appliance 1 to which the
appliance communication portion 14 belongs. With this, the set
operation data piece can be prevented from being mistakenly
transmitted to a different appliance, so that the misoperation of
the appliance can be prevented.
[0062] For example, that the data piece processing portion 22 of
the mobile terminal 2 confirms at the time of the transmission that
the identification information piece associated with the set
operation data piece coincides with the identification information
piece of the home electric appliance 1 to which the appliance
communication portion 14 belongs denotes that: when the data piece
processing portion 22 of the mobile terminal 2 receives the
operation setting command from the input portion 21, the data piece
processing portion 22 causes the first terminal communication
portion 20 to transmit the connection request; and when the data
piece processing portion 22 receives the identification information
piece of the home electric appliance 1 through the first terminal
communication portion 20, the data piece processing portion 22
determines whether or not the identification information piece
stored in the data piece storage portion 23 and the received
identification information piece coincide with each other. As
described above, the appliance communication portion 14 may be
configured to transmit the identification information piece in
response to the identification information piece transmission
request transmitted separately from the connection request. Then,
when the data piece processing portion 22 of the mobile terminal 2
determines that the received identification information piece of
the home electric appliance 1 coincides with the identification
information piece stored in the data piece storage portion 23, the
data piece processing portion 22 causes the first terminal
communication portion 20 to transmit the connection request and
also causes the first terminal communication portion 20 to transmit
the set operation data piece that has been stored in the data piece
storage portion 23 and associated with the identification
information piece.
[0063] In contrast, for example, that the appliance communication
portion 14 of the home electric appliance 1 confirms at the time of
the reception that the identification information piece associated
with the set operation data piece coincides with the identification
information piece of the home electric appliance 1 to which the
appliance communication portion 14 belongs denotes that when the
appliance communication portion 14 of the home electric appliance 1
receives the identification information piece and the set operation
data piece from the mobile terminal 2, the appliance communication
portion 14 determines whether or not the received identification
information piece and the identification information piece of the
home electric appliance 1 to which the appliance communication
portion 14 belongs coincide with each other. Then, when the
appliance communication portion 14 of the home electric appliance 1
determines that the received identification information piece of
the home electric appliance 1 and the identification information
piece stored in the data piece storage portion 23 coincide with
each other, the appliance communication portion 14 causes the
operation setting portion 10 to store the received set operation
data piece and sets the set operation, defined by the received set
operation data piece, as the operation of the home electric
appliance 1 to be executed in a case where the home electric
appliance 1 is started up next.
[0064] Next, operation examples of the home electric appliance
operation setting system configured as above will be explained. The
following will separately explain a case (Operation Example 1)
where the confirmation of the coincidence of the identification
information pieces is performed in the mobile terminal 2 and a case
(Operation Example 2) wherein it is performed in the home electric
appliance 1
Operation Example 1
[0065] FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing Operation Example 1 in a case
where the set operation data piece acquisition command is input in
the home electric appliance operation setting system according to
Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0066] First, an operation example in a case where the set
operation data piece acquisition command is input through the input
portion 21 of the mobile terminal 2 in the home electric appliance
operation setting system 100 configured as above will be explained
in reference to FIG. 2. Operation Example 1 is an operation example
in which the data piece processing portion 22 of the mobile
terminal 2 confirms at the time of the transmission that the
identification information piece associated with the set operation
data piece coincides with the identification information piece of
the home electric appliance 1 to which the appliance communication
portion 14 belongs.
[0067] First, the user manipulates the manipulating portion 11 in
accordance with a normal procedure to set the operation of the home
electric appliance 1. With this, the set operation data piece that
defines the set operation is stored in the operation setting
portion to be set as the operation to be executed (Step S100).
[0068] Next, when the user manipulates the input portion 21 of the
mobile terminal 2 to input the set operation data piece acquisition
command through the input portion 21 (Yes in Step S105), and the
user causes the mobile terminal 2 to contact the desired home
electric appliance 1 (or the user causes the mobile terminal 2 to
get close to the desired home electric appliance 1), the data piece
processing portion 22 of the mobile terminal 2 causes the first
terminal communication portion 20 to transmit the connection
request. Further, the data piece processing portion 22 causes the
first terminal communication portion 20 to transmit the set
operation data piece transmission request and the identification
information piece transmission request (Step S110). The
transmission request, the set operation data piece transmission
request, and the identification information piece transmission
request may be transmitted as a single command or as a plurality of
commands.
[0069] Next, when the appliance communication portion 14 of the
home electric appliance 1 receives the connection request and the
set operation data piece transmission request from the mobile
terminal 2, the appliance communication portion 14 transmits the
set operation data piece stored in the operation setting portion
10. Here, since the set operation data piece (data piece that
defines an operation set as the operation to be executed next) is a
single data piece, the set operation data piece to be transmitted
does not have to be specified in the mobile terminal 2. Therefore,
the configuration of transmitting the set operation data piece is
made simpler than conventional examples. In addition, the appliance
communication portion 14 transmits the identification information
piece of the home electric appliance 1 to which the appliance
communication portion 14 belongs (Step S115). These command
responses may be transmitted as a single command response or as a
plurality of command responses. A timing for the response is
arbitrary.
[0070] Next, when the data piece processing portion 22 of the
mobile terminal 2 receives the set operation data piece and the
identification information piece from the home electric appliance 1
through the first terminal communication portion 20, the data piece
processing portion 22 causes the received set operation data piece
and the identification information piece to be associated with each
other and causes the data piece storage portion 23 to store them
(Step S120). With this, the set operation of the home electric
appliance 1 is registered in the mobile terminal 2.
[0071] FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing Operation Example 1 in a case
where the operation setting command is input in the home electric
appliance operation setting system according to Embodiment 1 of the
present invention.
[0072] Next, an operation example in a case where the operation
setting command is input through the input portion 21 of the mobile
terminal 2 in the home electric appliance operation setting system
100 configured as above will be explained in reference to FIG.
3.
[0073] First, when the user manipulates the input portion 21 of the
mobile terminal 2 to input the operation setting command through
the input portion 21 (Yes in Step S150), and the user causes the
mobile terminal 2 to contact the home electric appliance 1 (or the
user causes the mobile terminal 2 to get close to the desired home
electric appliance 1), the data piece processing portion 22 causes
the first terminal communication portion 20 to transmit the
connection request. Further, the data piece processing portion 22
causes the first terminal communication portion 20 to transmit the
identification information piece transmission request (Step S155).
The connection request and the identification information piece
transmission request may be transmitted as a single command or as a
plurality of commands.
[0074] Next, the appliance communication portion 14 of the home
electric appliance 1 transmits the identification information piece
of the home electric appliance 1 to which the appliance
communication portion 14 belongs (Step S160). The identification
information piece transmission request from the mobile terminal 2
may be omitted, and the appliance communication portion 14 may be
configured to transmit, in response to the connection request, the
identification information piece of the home electric appliance 1
to which the appliance communication portion 14 belongs.
[0075] Next, when the data piece processing portion 22 of the
mobile terminal 2 receives the identification information piece of
the home electric appliance 1 through the first terminal
communication portion 20, the data piece processing portion 22
determines whether or not the received identification information
piece and the identification information piece stored in the data
piece storage portion 23 coincide with each other (Step S165).
[0076] When the data piece processing portion 22 of the mobile
terminal 2 determines that the received identification information
piece of the home electric appliance 1 and the identification
information piece stored in the data piece storage portion 23
coincide with each other (Yes in Step S165), the data piece
processing portion 22 causes the first terminal communication
portion 20 to transmit the set operation data piece that has been
stored in the data piece storage portion 23 and associated with the
identification information piece (Step S170).
[0077] In contrast, when the data piece processing portion 22 of
the mobile terminal 2 determines that the received identification
information piece of the home electric appliance 1 and the
identification information piece stored in the data piece storage
portion 23 do not coincide with each other (No in Step S165), the
data piece processing portion 22 performs predetermined error
processing (Step S166).
[0078] As above, the data piece processing portion 22 of the mobile
terminal 2 confirms at the time of the transmission that the
identification information piece associated with the set operation
data piece received by the appliance communication portion 14 and
stored in the operation setting portion 10 coincides with the
identification information piece of the home electric appliance 1
to which the appliance communication portion 14 belongs.
[0079] Next, when the appliance communication portion 14 of the
home electric appliance 1 receives the set operation data piece
from the mobile terminal 2, the appliance communication portion 14
causes the operation setting portion 10 to store the received set
operation data piece and sets the set operation, defined by the
received set operation data piece, as the operation of the home
electric appliance 1 to be executed in a case where the home
electric appliance 1 is started up next (Step S175). With this, the
set operation registered in the mobile terminal 2 can be called
up.
[0080] In the above-described control, after desired processing
that follows after the connection request is executed in the mobile
terminal 2, the connection of the mobile terminal 2 with the
appliance communication portion 14 is cut at a suitable timing. The
same is true in the following embodiments and examples.
[0081] Next, when the home electric appliance 1 is started up (Yes
in Step S180), the appliance control portion 12 causes the
appliance main body portion 15 of the home electric appliance 1 to
execute the set operation in accordance with the set operation data
piece stored in the operation setting portion 10 (Step S185).
[0082] When the home electric appliance 1 is operating in Step
S185, the operation that has been set is executed.
[0083] According to the above configuration, the user manipulates
the mobile terminal 2 to input the set operation data piece
acquisition command, and the user causes the mobile terminal 2 to
contact the home electric appliance 1 to which the user is about to
register the operation setting (or the user causes the mobile
terminal 2 to get close to the home electric appliance 1 to which
the user is about to register the operation setting). With this,
the home electric appliance 1 to which the user is about to
register the operation setting is specified, and the set operation
data piece set such that the user manipulates the manipulating
portion 11 of the home electric appliance 1 in accordance with a
normal procedure is automatically acquired and stored in the mobile
terminal 2. With this, the operation setting can be registered in
the mobile terminal 2. In addition, the user manipulates the mobile
terminal 2 to input the operation setting command, and the user
causes the mobile terminal 2 to contact the home electric appliance
1 from which the user is about to call up the operation setting (or
the user causes the mobile terminal 2 to get close to the home
electric appliance 1 from which the user is about to call up the
operation setting). With this, the home electric appliance 1 from
which the user is about to call up the operation setting is
specified. Thus, the registered set operation data piece is
automatically transmitted to the specified home electric appliance
1, and the operation defined by the set operation data piece is
set. With this, the operation setting registered in the mobile
terminal 2 can be called up. Therefore, by causing the mobile
terminal 2 to contact the respective home electric appliances 1,
the operation setting can be registered in the mobile terminal 2.
Thus, the frequently-used operation settings can be easily
registered in the home electric appliances 1 in accordance with the
same manipulation procedure. Further, by causing the mobile
terminal 2 to contact the respective home electric appliances 1,
the registered operation setting can be called up. Therefore, the
registered operation settings can be easily called up from a
plurality of home electric appliances 1 in accordance with the same
manipulation procedure.
[0084] The data piece processing portion 22 of the mobile terminal
2 confirms at the time of the transmission that the identification
information piece associated with the set operation data piece
received by the appliance communication portion 14 and stored in
the operation setting portion 10 coincides with the identification
information piece of the home electric appliance 1 to which the
appliance communication portion 14 belongs. With this, the set
operation data piece can be prevented from being mistakenly
transmitted to a different appliance, so that the misoperation of
the appliance can be prevented.
Operation Example 2
[0085] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing Operation Example 2 in a case
where the operation setting command is input in the home electric
appliance operation setting system according to Embodiment 1 of the
present invention.
[0086] Operation Example 2 is an operation example in which the
appliance communication portion 14 of the home electric appliance 1
confirms at the time of the reception that the identification
information piece associated with the set operation data piece
coincides with the identification information piece of the home
electric appliance 1 to which the appliance communication portion
14 belongs.
[0087] Since an operation example in a case where the set operation
data piece acquisition command is input through the input portion
21 of the mobile terminal 2 is the same as Operation Example 1
described above, an explanation thereof is omitted.
[0088] An operation example in a case where the operation setting
command is input through the input portion 21 of the mobile
terminal 2 in the home electric appliance operation setting system
configured as above will be explained in reference to FIG. 4.
[0089] First, when the user manipulates the input portion 21 of the
mobile terminal 2 to input the operation setting command through
the input portion 21 (Yes in Step S200), and the user causes the
mobile terminal 2 to contact the home electric appliance 1 (or the
user causes the mobile terminal 2 to get close to the desired home
electric appliance 1), the data piece processing portion 22 causes
the first terminal communication portion 20 to transmit the
connection request. Further, the data piece processing portion 22
causes the first terminal communication portion 20 to transmit the
identification information piece and set operation data piece that
are associated with each other and stored in the data piece storage
portion 23 (Step S205). The connection request, the identification
information piece, and the set operation data piece may be
transmitted as a single command or as a plurality of commands.
[0090] Next, when the appliance communication portion 14 of the
home electric appliance 1 receives the identification information
piece and the set operation data piece from the mobile terminal 2,
the appliance communication portion 14 determines whether or not
the received identification information piece and the
identification information piece of the home electric appliance 1
to which the appliance communication portion 14 belongs coincide
with each other (Step S210).
[0091] When the appliance communication portion 14 of the home
electric appliance 1 determines that the received identification
information piece of the home electric appliance 1 and the
identification information piece stored in the data piece storage
portion 23 coincide with each other (Yes in Step S210), the
appliance communication portion 14 causes the operation setting
portion 10 to store the received set operation data piece and sets
the set operation, defined by the received set operation data
piece, as the operation of the home electric appliance 1 to be
executed in a case where the home electric appliance 1 is started
up next (Step S215).
[0092] In contrast, when the data piece processing portion 22 of
the mobile terminal 2 determines that the received identification
information piece of the home electric appliance 1 and the
identification information piece stored in the data piece storage
portion 23 do not coincide with each other (No in Step S210), the
data piece processing portion 22 performs the predetermined error
processing (Step S211).
[0093] As above, the appliance communication portion 14 of the home
electric appliance 1 confirms at the time of the reception that the
identification information piece associated with the set operation
data piece received by the appliance communication portion 14 and
stored in the operation setting portion 10 coincides with the
identification information piece of the home electric appliance 1
to which the appliance communication portion 14 belongs.
[0094] Next, when the home electric appliance 1 is started up (Yes
in Step S220), the appliance control portion 12 causes the
appliance main body portion 15 of the home electric appliance 1 to
execute the set operation in accordance with the set operation data
piece stored in the operation setting portion 10 (Step S225).
[0095] When the home electric appliance 1 is operating in Step
S225, the operation that has been set is executed.
[0096] According to the above configuration, the appliance
communication portion 14 of the home electric appliance 1 confirms
at the time of the reception that the identification information
piece associated with the set operation data piece received by the
appliance communication portion 14 and stored in the operation
setting portion 10 coincides with the identification information
piece of the home electric appliance 1 to which the appliance
communication portion 14 belongs. With this, the set operation data
piece can be prevented from being mistakenly transmitted to a
different appliance, so that the misoperation of the appliance can
be prevented.
Embodiment 2
[0097] The following will explain the configurations and operations
of Embodiment 2 and mainly explain differences between Embodiment 2
and Embodiment 1.
Configuration
[0098] The input portion 21 of the mobile terminal 2 of Embodiment
2 is configured to be able to receive a set operation data piece
identification information piece that allows the user to identify
the set operation data piece stored in the data piece storage
portion 23.
[0099] The mobile terminal 2 of Embodiment 2 is configured to cause
the received set operation data piece, the identification
information piece, and the set operation data piece identification
information piece, input through the input portion 21, to be
associated with one another and cause the data piece storage
portion 23 to store them.
[0100] With this, by reference to the set operation data piece
identification information piece associated with the set operation
data piece, the user can recognize the contents of the set
operation according to the set operation data piece.
[0101] Further, the input portion 21 of the mobile terminal 2 of
Embodiment 2 is configured to receive the operation setting command
together with a selection information piece that selects the set
operation data piece stored in the data piece storage portion
23.
[0102] When the data piece processing portion 22 of the mobile
terminal 2 of Embodiment 2 receives the set operation data piece
acquisition command together with the selection information piece
from the input portion 21, the data piece processing portion 22
causes the first terminal communication portion 20 to transmit the
connection request and causes the first terminal communication
portion 20 to transmit the set operation data piece selected by the
selection information piece from the set information pieces stored
in the data piece storage portion 23 and the identification
information piece associated with the selected set operation data
piece.
[0103] With this, the user can set the set operation according to
the selected set operation data piece as the operation to be
executed by the home electric appliance 1.
Operation Example
[0104] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an operation example in a
case where the set operation data piece acquisition command is
input in the home electric appliance operation setting system
according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
[0105] First, Steps S100 to S115 are executed in order. However,
since these steps are the same as Steps S100 to S115 of the above
embodiment, the same reference signs are used, and explanations
thereof are omitted.
[0106] After Step S115, when the data piece processing portion 22
of the mobile terminal 2 receives the set operation data piece and
the identification information piece from the home electric
appliance 1 through the first terminal communication portion 20 and
receives the set operation data piece identification information
piece from the input portion 21 (Step S300), the data piece
processing portion 22 causes the received set operation data piece,
the received identification information piece, and the received set
operation data piece identification information piece to be
associated with each other and causes the data piece storage
portion 23 to store them (Step S305).
[0107] FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an operation example in a
case where the operation setting command is input in the home
electric appliance operation setting system according to Embodiment
2 of the present invention.
[0108] Next, an operation example in a case where the operation
setting command is input through the input portion 21 of the mobile
terminal 2 in the home electric appliance operation setting system
100 configured as above will be explained in reference to FIG.
6.
[0109] First, the data piece processing portion 22 of the mobile
terminal 2 stands by until the data piece processing portion 22
receives from the input portion 21 the operation setting command
together with the selection information piece that selects the set
operation data piece stored in the data piece storage portion 23
(Step S350).
[0110] When the operation setting command is input, the same steps
as Steps S155 to S160 of Embodiment 1 are performed, so that
explanations thereof are omitted.
[0111] When the data piece processing portion 22 of the mobile
terminal 2 determines that the received identification information
piece of the home electric appliance 1 and the identification
information piece stored in the data piece storage portion 23
coincide with each other (Yes in Step S165), the data piece
processing portion 22 causes the first terminal communication
portion 20 to transmit the connection request. Further, the data
piece processing portion 22 of the mobile terminal 2 causes the
first terminal communication portion 20 to transmit the set
operation data piece, specified by the operation setting command
input together with the selection information piece, among the set
operation data pieces stored in the data piece storage portion 23
and associated with the identification information pieces (Step
S370).
[0112] In contrast, when the data piece processing portion 22 of
the mobile terminal 2 determines that the received identification
information piece of the home electric appliance 1 and the
identification information piece stored in the data piece storage
portion 23 do not coincide with each other (No in Step S365), the
data piece processing portion 22 performs the predetermined error
processing as with Embodiment 1 (Step S166).
[0113] After Step S370, Steps S175 to S185 are executed in order.
Since these steps are the same as Steps S175 to S185 of Embodiment
1, the same reference signs are used, and explanations thereof are
omitted.
Embodiment 3
[0114] FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the
configuration of the home electric appliance operation setting
system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
[0115] The home electric appliance operation setting system 100
according to Embodiment 3 includes a server 30 that is connected
via a network.
[0116] The mobile terminal 2 according to Embodiment 3 includes a
second terminal communication portion 31 connected to the
network.
[0117] When the data piece processing portion 22 of the mobile
terminal 2 receives the set operation data piece acquisition
command from the input portion 21 and receives the set operation
data piece and the identification information piece from the home
electric appliance 1 through the first terminal communication
portion 20, the data piece processing portion 22 causes the
received set operation data piece and the received identification
information piece to be associated with each other to transmit them
to the server 30 through the second terminal communication portion
31 and the network. In a period from when the data piece processing
portion 22 receives the set operation data piece and the
identification information piece from the home electric appliance 1
until when the data piece processing portion 22 transmits them to
the server 30, the data piece processing portion 22 stores the set
operation data piece and the identification information piece in a
storage portion (a temporary storage portion (not shown), such as
the data piece storage portion 23 or a buffer). Therefore, in
Embodiment 3, the mobile terminal 2 includes the storage portion
that stores the set operation data piece and the identification
information piece.
[0118] Then, the server 30 receives the operation setting data
piece and identification information piece, which have been
associated with each other, to store the received operation setting
data piece and identification information piece that have been
associated with each other.
[0119] With this, the set operation data piece can be prevented
from being damaged by the malfunction of the mobile terminal 2, or
the like.
Embodiment 4
[0120] When the appliance communication portion 14 of the home
electric appliance 1 according to Embodiment 4 receives the set
operation data piece transmission request from the mobile terminal
2, the appliance communication portion 14 encrypts the stored set
operation data piece to transmit it.
[0121] When the appliance communication portion 14 of the home
electric appliance 1 receives the encrypted set operation data
piece from the mobile terminal 2, the appliance communication
portion 14 decrypts the received, encrypted set operation data
piece and causes the operation setting portion 10 to store it.
Thus, the appliance communication portion 14 sets the operation,
defined by the received set operation data piece, as the operation
of the home electric appliance to be executed.
[0122] When the data piece processing portion 22 of the mobile
terminal 2 according to Embodiment 4 receives the encrypted set
operation data piece and the identification information piece from
the home electric appliance 1 through the first terminal
communication portion 20, the data piece processing portion 22
causes the received, encrypted set operation data piece and the
identification information piece to be associated with each other
and causes the data piece storage portion 23 to store them.
[0123] When the data piece processing portion 22 of the mobile
terminal 2 receives the operation setting command from the input
portion 21, the data piece processing portion 22 causes the first
terminal communication portion 20 to transmit the connection
request and causes the first terminal communication portion 20 to
transmit both the encrypted set operation data piece and the
identification information piece, which have been stored in the
data piece storage portion 23 and associated with each other, or
only the encrypted set operation data piece. With this, for
example, the set operation data piece can be prevented from being
rewritten in the mobile terminal 2 whose security is difficult to
secure.
Operation Example
[0124] FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an operation example in a
case where the set operation data piece acquisition command is
input in the home electric appliance operation setting system
according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
[0125] First, Steps S100 to S110 are executed in order. Since these
steps are the same as Steps S100 to S110 of the above embodiment,
the same reference signs are used, and explanations thereof are
omitted.
[0126] After Step S110, when the appliance communication portion 14
of the home electric appliance 1 receives the set operation data
piece transmission request from the mobile terminal 2, the
appliance communication portion 14 encrypts the set operation data
piece stored in the operation setting portion 10 (Step S400).
[0127] Next, the appliance communication portion 14 of the home
electric appliance 1 transmits this encrypted set operation data
piece (Step S405).
[0128] Next, when the data piece processing portion 22 of the
mobile terminal 2 receives the set operation data piece and the
identification information piece from the home electric appliance 1
through the first terminal communication portion 20, the data piece
processing portion 22 causes the received, encrypted set operation
data piece and the identification information piece to be
associated with each other and causes the data piece storage
portion 23 to store them (Step S410).
[0129] FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an operation example in a
case where the operation setting command is input in the home
electric appliance operation setting system according to Embodiment
4 of the present invention.
[0130] Next, an operation example in a case where the operation
setting command is input through the input portion 21 of the mobile
terminal 2 in the home electric appliance operation setting system
100 configured as above will be explained in reference to FIG.
6.
[0131] Since Steps S150 to S165 and Step S166 in Embodiment 4 are
the same as those in Embodiment 1, the same reference signs are
used, and explanations thereof are omitted.
[0132] When the data piece processing portion 22 of the mobile
terminal 2 determines in Step S165 that the received identification
information piece of the home electric appliance 1 and the
identification information piece stored in the data piece storage
portion 23 coincide with each other (Yes in Step S165), the data
piece processing portion 22 of the mobile terminal 2 causes the
first terminal communication portion 20 to transmit the encrypted
set operation data piece that has been stored in the data piece
storage portion 23 and associated with the identification
information piece (Step S450).
[0133] Next, when the appliance communication portion 14 of the
home electric appliance 1 receives the set operation data piece
from the mobile terminal 2, the appliance communication portion 14
decrypts the received, encrypted set operation data piece (Step
S455).
[0134] Next, by causing the operation setting portion 10 to store
the decrypted set operation data piece, the operation defined by
the received set operation data piece is set as the operation of
the home electric appliance to be executed (Step S460).
[0135] After Step S460, Steps S175 to S185 are executed in order.
Since these steps are the same as Steps S175 to S185 of Embodiment
1, the same reference signs are used, and explanations thereof are
omitted.
Yet Another Embodiment
[0136] In the above embodiments, the data piece processing portion
22 of the mobile terminal 2 may be configured to cause the data
piece storage portion 23 to store the set operation data piece
without recognizing the set operation defined by the set operation
data piece. With this, the operation setting can be registered and
the registered operation setting can be called up without being
influenced by different instruction systems of the home electric
appliances 1.
[0137] The above embodiments may be combined with one another as
long as they do not exclude one another.
[0138] Hereinafter, specific examples according to the present
invention will be explained in detail in reference to the
drawings.
Example 1
[0139] Example 1 describes a system configured to perform the
operation setting of a washing machine.
[0140] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a control panel 110 of the
washing machine (home electric appliance 1) according to Example 1
of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a touch
panel 130 including the input portion 21 of the mobile terminal 2
according to Example 1 of the present invention and is a diagram
showing changes of display images of the touch panel 130 in a case
where the set operation data piece acquisition command is
input.
[0141] In the present example, the home electric appliance 1 is a
washing machine, and the mobile terminal 2 is a mobile phone.
[0142] The appliance communication portion 14 of the home electric
appliance 1 is a RFID module and is incorporated in the home
electric appliance 1. The RFID module behaves as an RF tag from a
viewpoint of a below-described external reader/writer whereas it
behaves as a temporary storage portion that is used for the data
transmission and reception, from a viewpoint of the appliance
control portion 12 of the home electric appliance 1.
[0143] As shown in FIG. 10, the home electric appliance 1 includes
the control panel 110. The control panel 110 includes setting
buttons 111, power supply buttons 118, a start-up/temporary stop
button 119, and a communication region 120.
[0144] The setting buttons 111 constitute the manipulating portion
11 (see FIG. 1). The user manipulates these setting buttons 111 to
set the set operation in the operation setting portion 10. In the
present example, the set operation set in the operation setting
portion 10 is a combination of one or more of an operation mode
(only a washing operation, only a drying operation, or both the
washing and drying operations), a preset operation content (an
automatic washing course, a thorough finish washing course, a
blanket washing course, or the like), and settings regarding detail
contents of washing, rinsing, dehydrating, and drying
operations.
[0145] The user manipulates the power supply buttons 118 to turn on
or off a power supply of the home electric appliance 1.
[0146] The user manipulates the start-up/temporary stop button 119
to start up or temporarily stop the home electric appliance 1.
[0147] An antenna of the RFID module of the appliance communication
portion 14 is provided inside the communication region 120, and the
near field communication can be realized in such a manner that the
user causes the mobile terminal 2 to contact the communication
region 120.
[0148] The first terminal communication portion 20 of the mobile
terminal 2 is the external reader/writer configured to write data
to the RF tag and read the date from the RF tag and communicates
with the appliance communication portion 14 of the home electric
appliance 1 via the near field communication.
[0149] The mobile terminal 2 includes the touch panel 130. The
touch panel 130 constitutes the input portion 21 (see FIG. 1) and
also constitutes a display portion configured to inform the
user.
[0150] A use example in which the set operation data piece is
acquired in the home electric appliance operation setting system
100 configured as above will be explained.
[0151] First, the operation setting of the home electric appliance
1 is performed.
[0152] Next, a program installed in the mobile terminal 2 to
perform the operation setting of the home electric appliance 1 is
started up. A screen image A in FIG. 11 is an initial screen image
of the program to which the set operation data piece acquisition
command is input. The initial screen image displays a button 150
which displays "New Registration" and to which the set operation
data piece acquisition command is input.
[0153] Next, when the user touches the button 150 and immediately
separates from the button 150 (hereinafter referred to as "tap"), a
screen image B in FIG. 11 is displayed, and the connection request
is transmitted from the appliance communication portion 14 of the
mobile terminal 2.
[0154] Next, when the user causes the first terminal communication
portion 20 of the mobile terminal 2 to contact the communication
region 120 of the home electric appliance 1, the first terminal
communication portion 20 transmits the connection request, the set
operation data piece transmission request, and the identification
information piece transmission request and receives the set
operation data piece and the identification information piece from
the home electric appliance 1 as responses to these requests.
[0155] When the first terminal communication portion 20 receives
the set operation data piece and the identification information
piece, a screen image C in FIG. 11 is displayed. This screen image
displays: a text box 151 that is an input region of a character
information piece; and a button 152 which displays "Input" and sets
the character information piece, input to the text box 151, as the
set operation data piece identification information piece. The user
inputs in the text box 151 matters (in the present example, "Wash
Reservation (8 hours later)") used by the user to identify the
received set operation data piece. Then, the user taps the button
152. With this, the character information piece input in the text
box 151 is set as the set operation data piece identification
information piece, and a screen image D in FIG. 11 is displayed to
inform the user that the set operation data piece has been stored
in the mobile terminal 2.
[0156] If the reception of the set operation data piece and the
identification information piece is failed, a screen image E in
FIG. 11 is displayed.
[0157] Next, a use example in a case where the operation setting is
performed will be explained.
[0158] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the touch panel 130 including
the input portion 21 of the mobile terminal 2 according to Example
1 of the present invention and is a diagram showing changes of the
display images of the touch panel 130 in a case where the operation
setting command is input.
[0159] A screen image A in FIG. 12 is the initial screen image to
which the operation setting command of the mobile terminal 2 is
input. The initial screen image displays: a button 160 that
displays the set operation data piece identification information
piece (in the present example, "Wash Reservation (8 hours later)");
and a button 161 which displays "New Registration" and to which the
set operation data piece acquisition command is input. The button
160 is a button to which the operation setting command is input.
The button 161 is a button to which the set operation data piece
acquisition command is input. When the user taps the button 161, a
screen image B in FIG. 12 is displayed. The subsequent operations
are the same as above, so that explanations thereof are
omitted.
[0160] Next, when the user taps the button 160, the screen image B
in FIG. 12 is displayed. This screen image displays: a region 162
that displays information based on the set operation data piece
identification information piece; and a button 163 that displays
"Preparation Completed".
[0161] Next, when the user confirms the matters displayed on the
region 162 and then taps the button 163, a screen image C in FIG.
12 is displayed, and the connection request is transmitted from the
appliance communication portion 14 of the mobile terminal 2.
[0162] Next, when the user causes the first terminal communication
portion 20 of the mobile terminal 2 to contact the communication
region 120 of the home electric appliance 1, it is confirmed that
the identification information piece stored in the data piece
storage portion 23 of the mobile terminal 2 and the identification
information piece of the home electric appliance 1 coincide with
each other, and then, the set operation data piece is transmitted
to the home electric appliance 1. When the set operation data piece
is set in the operation setting portion 10 of the home electric
appliance 1, the completion of the setting of the set operation
data piece in the operation setting portion 10 is informed in
response to the transmission of the set operation data piece. Thus,
a screen image D in FIG. 12 is displayed. With this, the user is
informed of the completion of the setting of the set operation data
piece in the home electric appliance 1.
[0163] Then, when the start-up/temporary stop button 119 is pushed
down, the set operation is executed by the control of the appliance
control portion 12 in accordance with the set operation data piece
that has been set.
Example 2
[0164] Example 2 describes a system configured to perform the
operation setting of a lighting device.
[0165] First, the following will explain the configurations of the
present example and mainly explain differences between the present
example and Example 2.
[0166] In the present example, the home electric appliance 1 is a
lighting device, and the mobile terminal 2 is a mobile phone as
with Example 1. The lighting device includes a remote controller
that is wirelessly connected to a lighting device main body.
[0167] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the remote controller of the
lighting device (home electric appliance 1) according to Example 2
of the present invention.
[0168] As shown in FIG. 13, the remote controller of the home
electric appliance 1 includes four preset power supply ON buttons
170, a light color adjustment button 171, a brightness adjustment
button 174, a power supply OFF button 172, and a communication
region 173.
[0169] When each of these four preset power supply ON buttons 170
is pushed down, the lighting device is turned on to emit a preset
light color.
[0170] When the light color adjustment button 171 is pushed down in
a state where the lighting device is in the on state, the light
color of the lighting device is changed.
[0171] When the brightness adjustment button 174 is pushed down in
a state where the lighting device is in the on state, the
brightness of the lighting device is changed.
[0172] When the power supply OFF button 172 is pushed down, the
lighting device is turned off.
[0173] Since the communication region 173 is the same in
configuration as the communication region 120 of Example 1, an
explanation thereof is omitted.
[0174] Next, the following will explain a use example of the
present example and mainly explain differences between the present
example and Example 1.
[0175] When acquiring the set operation data piece, the operation
setting of the home electric appliance 1 is performed by using the
light color adjustment button 171 and the brightness adjustment
button 174. In the present example, the set operation set in the
operation setting portion 10 is the light color and brightness of
the lighting device. In the present example, in a state where the
lighting device is in the on state, that is, in a state where the
home electric appliance 1 is being started up, the set operation is
set in the operation setting portion 10. With this, the operation
setting can be performed while confirming the light color and
brightness of the lighting device. The other specific setting steps
when acquiring the set operation data piece is the same as that in
Example 1, so that a detailed explanation thereof is omitted.
[0176] Next, in the operation setting, when the user causes the
first terminal communication portion 20 of the mobile terminal 2 to
contact the communication region 120 of the home electric appliance
1 in a state where the lighting device is in the off state, the
lighting device is turned on to emit the set light color and
brightness. When the user causes the first terminal communication
portion 20 of the mobile terminal 2 to get close to or contact the
communication region 120 of the home electric appliance 1 in a
state where the lighting device is in the on state, the light color
and brightness are changed to the set light color and
brightness.
[0177] From the foregoing explanation, many modifications and other
embodiments of the present invention are obvious to one skilled in
the art. Therefore, the foregoing explanation should be interpreted
only as an example and is provided for the purpose of teaching the
best mode for carrying out the present invention to one skilled in
the art. The structures and/or functional details may be
substantially modified within the spirit of the present
invention.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0178] The home electric appliance operation setting system of the
present invention is useful as a system used for the operation
setting of the home electric appliance.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0179] 1 home electric appliance [0180] 2 mobile terminal [0181] 10
operation setting portion [0182] 11 manipulating portion [0183] 12
appliance control portion [0184] 13 appliance control unit [0185]
14 appliance communication portion [0186] 15 appliance main body
portion [0187] 20 first terminal communication portion [0188] 21
input portion [0189] 22 data piece processing portion [0190] 23
data piece storage portion [0191] 24 terminal control unit [0192]
100 operation setting system
* * * * *